Help buying Civic

I've been a civic fan for my whole life. Finally I'm going to be able to afford my own car. I've been looking for a 92-95 civic hatchback. My only question is: which one do I buy. I am planning on spending $2000 on the car to give it that extra boost. I just need to know which model would be my best bet. Thanks

um just make sure you just make sure you check the engine out well.

see if you can find an si hatch.....but like it was said in the previous post.....check the engine out well.

Welcome to purehonda...uhmm af sorry
Well maby the age old question of show vs. go should be considered...base models leave funding for looks but hi-end (Si) give u a nice engine to build on. Whatever you like....just make sure its stick!

If you're planning to do a swap in the future a CX or VX would be a nice and light platform to start with ...

If you are thinking about a swap, get the CX or HX as Beyond Imagination said. With a swap, you will definitely have more power than what you will with the Si Hatchback.:D

The HX is a real good platform to start your buildup on....like b16a2si said.....with a swap your ride will be nice!

B16 what swap would you recommend for that car?

Here check this out
Standard Equipment, 92-95 Civic Hatchbacks

All Civic Hatchbacks Include:
Dual Airbags (SRS), Multi-Point Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) Engine, 5-Speed Manual Transmission, 4-Wheel Double Wishbone Suspension, Beverage Holder, Split Fold-Down Rear Seatback, Coin Box, Two-Piece Hatch

CX Hatchback Key Features:
1.5 Liter, 70-hp, 8-Valve Engine, P165/70 R13 All-Season Tires, Rear Window Defroster with Timer, Hatch-Open Warning Light, Remote Fuel Filler Door Release, Remote Hatch Release, Passenger Assist Handle, Dual Manual Remote-Operated Mirrors

DX Hatchback Key Features:
1.5 Liter, 102-hp, 16-Valve Engine, Available 4-Speed Automatic Transmission with Power Steering, P175/70 R13 All-Season Tires, Adjustable Steering Column, Removable Cargo Area Cover, 2-Speed/Intermittent Windshield Wipers, Rear Window Wiper/Washer, Remote Fuel Filler Door Release, Remote Hatch Release, Dual Manual Remote-Operated Mirrors

VX Hatchback Key Features:
1.5 Liter, 92-hp, 16-Valve VTEC-E Engine, Lightweight 13" Alloy Wheels, P165/70 R13 All-Season Tires, Chin Spoiler, Tachometer, Dual Manual Remote-Operated Mirrors

Si Hatchback Key Features:
1.6 Liter, 125-hp, 16-Valve VTEC Engine, Power Steering, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, 14" Wheels with Full Wheel Covers, P185/60 R14 All-Season Tires, Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature, AM/FM High-Power Stereo Cassette, Cruise Control, Rear Window Wiper/ Washer, Tachometer, Adjustable Steering Column, Removable Cargo Area Cover, 2-Speed/ Intermittent Windshield Wipers, Body-Colored Dual Power Mirrors

Personally, i'd go with a VX for a couple reasons...
First, it's already wired for VTEC, making a future swap easier (youv'e got $2k to spend right?)
It doesn't come with those ugly ass black side strips
It comes with a chin spoiler
It comes with a tach
It comes with alloy wheels, you could prolly sell for a $100 or so (people buy them for drags) Or keep they arent that bad...

Just my 2 cents:D:p

I also think a good swap for a hatch would be a LS motor...gobs of torque, low price, very common engine

Originally posted by JayFidizzy
B16 what swap would you recommend for that car?

It all comes down to how much money nickmgray is willing to spend. I personally would go with B16. If you want to read about a engine swap with some dyno charts about the swap and other modifications, you should check out the April 2002 issue of Sport Compact Car.:D

Originally posted by JayFidizzy
The HX is a real good platform to start your buildup on....like b16a2si said.....with a swap your ride will be nice!

B16 what swap would you recommend for that car?
Well the b16a2 would be the easiest but its also a grand more than the a1, which would require some changes becauser of the difference between the hydraulic and cable clutch

like b16a2 just said, read that SCC

Thanks....i'm still debating if i'm going stay with my 99 ex engine or not........

thanks for all the suggestions. I've found a 95VX with 90,000 miles on it for $3800. The engine looks pretty good and so does the body. My only question is: what would you recommend I spend $2,000 on. I'm not the brightest when it comes to cars, so I need a few suggestions.

Originally posted by nickmgray
thanks for all the suggestions. I've found a 95VX with 90,000 miles on it for $3800. The engine looks pretty good and so does the body. My only question is: what would you recommend I spend $2,000 on. I'm not the brightest when it comes to cars, so I need a few suggestions.

What do you want to do with your car? There are several ways to modify a car. I personally like modifying the engine more than show.

I want to modify the engine, get some extra horse power in there, but im not sure exactly. I want to be able to enjoy the car and have some fun on the side.

you should start off with the basic stuff like intake, headers and exhaust(around $1000 or less) and with the rest get some rims or get your sound system going. Also you can save that leftover to swap that motor out and put a b16a2 or a b18c1. If you plan on swapping then get headers for the motor you are swapping in and get a short ram intake cause more than likely if you get a cold air intake it won't fit with the new engine

Originally posted by nickmgray
I want to modify the engine, get some extra horse power in there, but im not sure exactly. I want to be able to enjoy the car and have some fun on the side.

If you don't plan on an engine swap, go with I/H/E. The three basic bolt-on mods. This will give you a little hp gain. If you do decide to go with a swap, I wouldn't spend any of the money on stuff like the I/H/E. Get some lowering springs/coilovers, shocks, rims, and tires.

im not planning on swapping engines but its not completely out of the picture. How much would it cost if I did swap the engine with a b16a2? I've already got a good stereo system for it, but I'm looling into the wingwest middle wing.

the b16a2 runs around $1900-$2500 depending where you go. then another $1000 to put it in by a professional or free if you put it in yourself.

I'll probably have to wait a while on that. At the moment my budget is pretty tight. Does anyone have any suggestion and exhaust and intake. Like I said before, I'm kinda new at car engines, so please be patient. I would rather trust someone in the forum for suggestions that a sales person at and autoshop since they're trying to give you the best sale. Thanks again.

if you don't plan on doing the swap, get an AEM cold air intake, then exhaust, it depends on whether or not you want loud or quiet and what not, for that, just do some research and ask people about theirs. Header, if you decide to get one, i believe DC Sports has the best numbers, but i could be mistaken. Good luck

I would recommend the AEM CAI. You can either get the cat-back exhaust system or get a muffler for cheaper and get custom piping. Apexi, Greddy, HKS, Tanabe, and Thermal are some of the companies recommendable.:D I personally have a Greddy Evolution Cat-Back Exhaust. Good luck.:D

My suggestion would be unless you get an SI, don't even waste your money on the engine. Drop some cash in other areas (Suspension, wheels, duckbill spoiler, etc., or save up for a swap)....because spending $200 on an AEM and another $200-500 on an exhaust for a VX or CX is really a waste of money that could be better spent elswher...it's still gonna be slow as shit....you will want a new exhaust if you swap though, that if you plan on swapping, figure that into the cost of the swap

I'm not looking for create a super fast sports car. I just want to be able to have a bit more acceleration and be able to have a bit of fun on the highways. How much more horse power do you think I could get with adding exhaust and intake? And should I concided changing my chip?